Cheeks From "Husbands"

Cheeks attended Los Angeles City College to pursue film production before studying improv and becoming a graduate of Second City Hollywood. He then appeared as himself to mentor a young gay teen in the ways of “being confident and fabulous” on MTV’s Why Can’t I Be You? This experience sparked his drive to inspire others by being a free spirited and creative model of the modern man. He adopted the moniker Cheeks, a nickname bestowed by Paris Hilton, and began building a fan base by releasing short form comedy videos on You Tube. Cheeks then recorded an electropop EP titled The Boy From Venus, and followed with Glambition and T.C.M.C.; both charted on iTunes Top 10 Electronic Music downloads. In 2011, Cheeks founded the entertainment and lifestyle website WeYüMe. Cheeks can currently be seen in Husbands the Series at HusbandsTheSeries.com and in Billy Clift’s I Want To Get Married, now on DVD. You can follow Cheeks on Twitter @gocheeksgo.

What inspired you to create your website "WeYüMe"?

Living a life that is rich with laughter, information, thoughtfulness, introspection, and friends. How can I better provide that for people? That was where I started. Pursuing my own success simply for the sake of my own success left me feeling empty. I thought, "am I going to sacrifice having a relationship and a social life and privacy for success?" What was I giving to people? To the world? When developing original web content full time became an option for me, WeYuMe was born.

How do you measure success?

I measure success by whether or not I'm meeting the goals I've set for myself. I try not to let outside factors weigh in too much. Ie, is it being validated by the public, making money, winning awards. If I set out to create something and then I create it, I've succeeded. Whether or not it reaches millions, makes millions, or brings me endless acclaim -- none of that matters. Ideally, you determine what it is you love, you commit to doing it, and you do it. To me, that's succeeding.

How do you handle rejection?

Rejection is such an awful term. It's become standard industry lingo, which is a shame, because it's an incorrect use of the word. Poor actors. No wonder they're so fragile. They keep telling themselves they're being rejected and go back to their catering jobs feeling vulnerable when really, there's no need for all that.

No one gets "rejected," they simply don't get the role. Rejection would be if the casting director said, "Oh dear god, what were you thinking?! YOU? YOU?? Ha! Get the hell out of here before I blacklist you for wasting my time." Now, I'm sure somewhere, something like that has happened. But 99 times out of 100, you read your lines, they smile and say thank you, and you leave. No one kicks you to the curb. One can't take things too personally and expect to survive in Hollywood.

What is the best thing about starring a webseries?

The incredible outpouring of love and support from fans all over the world. It's different than a project with mass media exposure because there's an intimacy that exists with you and your audience. I get to interact directly with the people I'm making it for, the people who love it, who get my sense of humor, who encourage me when I'm overworked and feel like giving up. It's like hosting a party where I perform a play for friends around the world. Every day, more friends show up to the party. It's wonderful. It's by far my favorite thing.

What is the worst thing about starring in a webseries?

Unfortunately, the Internet is still the red headed step child of entertainment. Forty years ago, if a movie star transitioned into television it was seen as a downgrade. Today, TV is arguably a better gig for working actors. That's how I see the Internet.

There are incredible, crafted, smart projects that resonate with thousands or millions of people, yet a perception exists that it's not up to par with "real" entertainment. When you consider this idea, it's really quite an ignorant mentality. Just because anyone can put anything online, it must mean everything online is amateur. When a show or personality isn't on a massive outlet like film or TV (which also features quite a bit of low brow content, by the way) a large majority of the public think it must not be that good, otherwise it would be "legit."

This mentality will change. It's changing now. In my opinion, anyone who carries this derogatory view of online entertainment into the next decade will only immediately identify themselves as out of touch. Like when people say, "Did you tape it?" No. I DVR'd it.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Oh god, no idea. Um, twentysomething-ish? Maybe more?

How has your life changed since you became involved with "Husbands"?

I get recognized at Starbucks now! After it happened a few days in a row I was like, "Damn, I gotta start getting cute before I leave the house. No more of this backwards hat and sweatpants look." Husbands has opened up big opportunities for me. Life changing. I've learned a lot about all elements of production, myself, the craft of writing, the inner workings of Hollywood and new media. I made wonderful new friends like Sean Hemeon and Jeff Greenstein. Actually, I can say with full confidence that I am not even close to seeing the massive impact that creating Husbands will eventually have on my life. This is all very hard to explain without going into details that are still very hush hush, but Husbands is only starting to be as life changing and big as it will ultimately be.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants become an actor?

Well, first, that rejection bit. I'd tell them that. Then I'd strongly encourage them to ask themselves: why do I want to be an actor? If it's for fame or money, give up. If it's because you have some idealized dream of people loving you all day or how much "fun" it would be to appear on TV, give up.

Picture yourself as a fifty year old bank teller who is just deliriously happy to act on Thursday nights with your community theatre because it's what you love most. Could you be happy with that life? If not, then don't pursue acting.

It's hard. Its dark. It's lonely. I remember, years ago, eating Chef Boyardee out of a measuring cup after a long day working as a telemarketer. About to take my first bite, I started laughing my ass off. I thought, "This is actually what living the dream is all about." My state of misery was absolutely hilarious. If that doesn't sound like something you can laugh at, a career in show business is not for you.

So, if all that sounds doable to you, my advice would be to work harder than anyone else. Submit your head shots at 7am when other wanna-be actors are sleeping. Never expect your agent to get you work. That's not their job. Make friends with everyone. Never complain, especially about other people. Most importantly, know your strengths. If you're a Kathy Griffin type, don't try to be a Reese Witherspoon. Be honest with yourself about what you can and can't do.

What do you like to do besides working on your webseries and website?

You mean... there's other things?! It's been so long. I can't even remember. I like to go to this place. It's called -- oh what's the name of it? Outdoors, I think? There are big trees and lots of nature type things. I like to go there and sleep under the stars. I like to listen to the sound of nothing. I like to sit under trees and let them tell me about all the things they've seen in their time on Earth. I also really like to dance. Naked. In the forest.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It's the end of the interview, but I feel like this is only the beginning of the good stuff to come. 2012 is going to be a huge year ...and not just cause it's the apocalypse, other stuff too.

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Thank you for doing the interview.  I'm a HUGE fan of you and the rest of the cast and crew of "Husbands". I look forward to seeing what happens in 2012 with the show. I'm also going to look out for new stuff going on at your website.

Sean Hemeon AKA Brady on "Husbands"

Sean Hemeon  is the son of a Gas Station Owner and Fine Artist and was born and raised in the DC metropolitan area of Tysons Corner, Virginia. Having three older brothers, and two younger sisters and a younger brother – Hemeon grew up in a full house. He found time for himself in reading and writing and staying after school for the drama programs. In high school, he followed his brothers’ athletic legacy and played football and lacrosse. Throughout, though, he felt the pull to do more acting and joined in the theater classes and plays at the school. When it came time to decide what to do in college, there was no doubt that Hemeon wanted to be a performer. He went to Virginia Commonwealth University on a scholarship and shortly thereafter landed his first major acting role on American television in As The World Turns on CBS. He played Max, the first year film student and in having so much fun was convinced this was what he wanted to do.He has since made the move to Los Angeles where he considers it his new home. Recently, he was excited to play a Vampire on one of his favorite tv shows True Blood. You can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanHemeon.

What was it like working on "True Blood"?

I have a secret passion for vampires so for me it was honestly a fantasy come true. I really hope it doesn't end there because I cant wait to play a vampire again, maybe another episode or some other film/television show.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

Oh man, wow - what are we including here - theater as well? And does improv shows count? I don't know really - this is all so much fun for me that it just seems to all be one fun project. I've done music videos, to youtube videos, to tv, film and stage and that doesnt even count the countless improv shows Ive been involved in. Hundreds maybe?

What is the best thing about starring in a webseries?

I really loved that the creators were very open to me pitching jokes. I also loved that as I filled Brady out more, they stated writing the part around me. It was a very freeing experience for a performer.

What is the worst thing about starring in a webseries?

Sometimes the worst things make for the best stories - we had to totally guerilla shoot some scenes while being stalked by security guards. We also had to deal with the homeowner's loud cats and also shooting next to an airport.

How has your life changed since you became involved with "Husbands"?

I can see better! A really amazing Husbands fan gifted me with a pair of eye glasses. I thought that was pretty cool.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants become an actor?

Don't - run away - get as far from acting as you can.Ruuuun!!

Now all those that just read that part and said "F - you Sean!" I welcome you to the craft of acting. It takes a kind of rebel energy to stay with this long enough to create a name for yourself. If each year you get closer than the last, then I think you're doing the right thing.

Are there any webseries (other than "Husbands") that you like to watch?

I think very mary kate is hilarious! And web therapy (obviously before it made the jump to tv)

What do you like to do besides acting?

I like being involved with Art - I've been a gallery director and I love nurturing newer artists. It's really inspiring to watch other creatives grow.

You could go back in time and act in any film. Which film would it be and why?

My all time favorite childhood film is Last of the Mohicans - Daniel Day Lewis is amazing in that. I think I just loved the idea of being a warrior like him and wildly going after the girl (or guy - dependent on reader) like all the 90's movies were so good at doing. I'm also part Native American and so there could be some of that going on.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Husbands isn't even close to being done yet! Stay with us - there may be some suprises coming in the future!

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Thanks for doing the interview Sean. I love "Husbands". I'm also a big fan of "Last of the Mohicans".  I know you have  passion for vampires. Please check out the webseries @vampiremob on Twitter. I hope you'll like it.

Co-creator and executive producer of "Husbands" Jane Espenson

Jane Espenson is a 20-year veteran television writer and producer.  She's best known as a writer for science fiction and fantasy shows including Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones, Torchwood, and currently Once Upon a Time for ABC.  She's also co-creator and executive producer of Husbands, viewable at http://husbandstheseries.com

How has your life changed since you became involved with "Husbands"?

Well, I was certainly busy when we were producing and editing it.  But the biggest change isn't to my life but to my attitude -- I really *get* the whole process of production in a way I didn't before.  I think I embraced the entire beginning-to-end of the process in a way I never really have before.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who wants become a writer?

A TV writer?  Move to LA.  It's funny -- production has moved all over the place out of LA, but the process of becoming a TV writer has sort of become more concentrated here.  Industry experience is becoming more important, so it's harder to start a writing career from out of state.

What is your writing process?

I tend to write while propped up on pillows, not sitting up at a desk.  I write quickly in concentrated short bursts.  Getting the first pass down can be kind of painful, but I love to polish a script to find just the right word.

What is your favorite Shakespeare play?

Hmm.  A Midsummer Nights' Dream, I think.  Funny!

What is the "atmosphere" like on the set of "Husbands"?

Amazing.  Jeff Greenstein directed with such a light touch, and our cast is so confident and funny -- the atmosphere was always light and fun and creative.    This series is a joy to shoot and the crew was amazing too -- so good.

How do you feel about movie and TV remakes?

Some are good and some aren't.  I worked on Battlestar Galactica, which was based on an earlier incarnation of the series, and I thought it was brilliant.  It's always about the quality of the product, not some aspect of the project, like where it started.

How does making a webseries differ from making a TV show?

It's smaller -- smaller crew, smaller salaries.  But it's also bigger because, as a producer, you're responsible for more aspects of the shoot, so the job gets bigger.  It was stressy, but wonderful.

How are they similar?

I felt that the quality of our director and our cast was totally equal to what I'd work with in TV, and of course the overall procedure was the same.  It was like I was doing what I usually do, just from a couple steps closer to the flames!

Is there anything you'd like to add?

I'm very proud of Husbands and we're hoping to make more content!  Follow us at @TeamHusbands and check us out at http://husbandstheseries.com for updates!

Jordan Rozansky Co-Creator Of "Can't Get Arrested"

Jordan Rozansky is a comedy writer and producer currently working as a script consultant for Dark Trick Films and DarkFire Television. He has written and executive produced five sketch comedy videos and a five-episode web series.

What exactly is  "Can't Get Arrested" about?

Can’t Get Arrested stars Dave Coulier and Jodie Sweetin from Full House playing versions of themselves.  The series starts off with the paparazzi manipulating a story about Jodie, which Dave and Jodie realize can be turned into a positive, helping them get acting work.  Throughout the series they orchestrate media events for themselves and others with the goal of kickstarting careers that have fallen on hard times.

What was the casting process like?

Casting was really easy.  Dave and I developed the show knowing that he and Jodie would star in it.  Once the series was outlined we talked about a lot of names for guest stars and we landed on Dennis Haskins, Candace Cameron Bure, and Kato Kaelin.  Once they committed we wrote episodes around them.

After that there were only a few parts left to fill.  Blake Goza and Eric Moneypenny play the paparazzi guys and they’re so hilarious in the series.  Blake and Eric are friends of mine and luckily they were both available the week of our shoot.  The remaining two roles are the news reporter roles, which went to Stephanie Allynne and Olev Aleksander.  I had seen Stephanie do a bunch of live shows and I think she’s so funny.  I emailed her to explain the show and her role and I was really excited that she said yes.  Olev is a friend of our director, David Odio.  David assured me that Olev was funny.  He was very right.  Both Stephanie and Olev were amazing.

We never had to do any auditioning or anything like that.  It was as simple as calling people we think are funny and hoping for the best.  It was a very smooth process.

Why did you decide to create "Can't Get Arrested"

I got in touch with Dave about a sketch I wrote and I was hoping he would act in it.  Dave read it and liked it, but he thought we would be better served making a series instead of just a one-off sketch.  From there we started pitching ideas back and forth, settling pretty quickly on the Can’t Get Arrested idea.


How do you measure success?

Financially.

How do you handle rejection?

I handle rejection well.  If I write scripts and make videos, I’ll do my best to make sure they’re good, but that’s really all I can control.  Once I put something online, it’s up to others to judge.  If people like what I’m doing, that’s great.  If people hate what I’m doing, that’s okay too.  David Odio (Can’t Get Arrested director) and I were reading and laughing at horribly mean comments on our videos the other night.


Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

I’ve always loved comedy but I never really considered writing until after college.  If I could write sitcoms for the rest of my life, I’d be very happy.

What inspired you to become create a webseries?

It was really more Dave’s idea than it was mine.  I had made a few sketch comedy videos, but the idea of doing something a little longer with more of a story was definitely something that interested me.  I don’t know that I would have done it though had Dave not suggested it.

What is the best thing about creating a webseries?

I just like making stuff.  I’m very happy any time I get the opportunity to produce a video, and with this being my first web series, it was a great learning experience.  I think Can’t Get Arrested turned out well, but I know that whatever I work on next will benefit greatly from lessons learned on this project.


What is the worst thing about creating one?

Getting views on the series is arguably the most important thing we have to do, but it’s definitely not something I enjoy or know much about.


What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

I’ve worked on set for a few projects and I work in development for a film and TV production company, but in terms of my own stuff, I’ve written/produced five sketch comedy videos and Can’t Get Arrested.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Here’s a pretty boring answer: I love David Fincher, Woody Allen, and Martin Scorsese.  I’m also watching closely whenever David Wain, Jody Hill, and Richard Ayoade do anything.

How is "Can't Get Arrested" funded?

Coulier and I split the costs to make the show.  We knew it would be a relatively inexpensive shoot and we didn’t want to give up any ownership of the show.

How has your life changed since you created "Can't Get Arrested?

It’s the same, but with less money.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make a webseries??

Find talented people you like to work with and go make something.  Making videos is a lot of trial and error.  If you make something and it doesn’t turn out well, you don’t have to show it to people. As long as you learned something that can make your next project better, it will have been worthwhile.


Have you had any other jobs before you decided to create your webseries?

I work as a script consultant for Dark Trick Films and DarkFire Television.  I’ve also done some PA and AD work on various sets, but I haven’t done that in a while.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

My favorite movie is Groundhog Day.  The best foreign film I’ve seen recently is Four Lions, but that’s just British, so it’s barely foreign.

Here’s a list of TV shows I love: Community; Arrested Development; Peep Show; Parks and Recreation; The Larry Sanders Show; Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace; Mr. Show; Eastbound and Down; Bored to Death; The Wire; Breaking Bad; Mad Men.

How would you describe your education?

I have an English degree, which is most helpful for feeling good about myself when I read something with grammatical mistakes.


You could go back in time and see any film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Space Jam, for obvious reasons.


What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

I’d say I’m pro-sequel and anti-remake, but that’s not always true.  I think there’s a place for both sequels and remakes, but there’s probably too many of each.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Book to movie adaptations have given us The Godfather, The Silence of the Lambs, and the Twilight series, so mark me down under the “strongly in favor” column.

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Thank you for doing the interview Jordan. I really enjoy the series and will do what I can to spread the word about your show.

"Virgin Alexander" Writers/Directors Charlotte Barrett and Sean Fallon

Writers/Directors Charlotte Barrett and Sean Fallon met during their first film production class at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Charlotte grew up in San Antonio, Texas. Sean grew up Saratoga Springs, New York where Virgin Alexander was shot. Virgin Alexander is their first feature film.

What is the current project you are working(and/or promoting) on?

We have been on the festival circuit for the last 9 months with our first feature film, Virgin Alexander.  It’s a comedy about a 26 year-old scrap hauler who is about to be evicted from his house. In a last ditch effort to save it from the bank, he turns it into a brothel. The response to the film has been terrific. We’ve won Best Film at the Las Vegas Film Festival & Black Hills Film Festival, Grand Jury Award & Audience Award for Best Film at the DC Independent Film Festival, and The Best of the Fest Award at the Illinois International Film Festival. We won Outstanding Achievement in Editing at Visionfest in NYC. We were also the Opening Night Film at the Orlando Film Festival where our lead actor, Rick Faugno, won Best Performance and the entire cast won Best Ensemble.

You can see the trailer at www.virginalexander.com

What is the casting process like?

The logline to our film is about a virgin who turns his house into a brothel. It’s easy to read the script as just a sex comedy, but we were completely uninterested in making a sex comedy. We wanted to make sure that the film was being represented to actors and their representation in the right way, so we cast the film ourselves. We would meet with all of the actors, usually over coffee, to talk about the film. While auditions can be important, it was more important for us to talk with the actors and make sure everyone saw the film the same way. You’ll be spending long hours with on set with the actors, so being able to communicate is key. The only actor we cast without meeting is Rick Faugno who plays Alexander. We saw Rick perform as Frankie Valli in the musical Jersey Boys and knew he had to be Alexander. Even though Frankie Valli is nothing like Alexander (Frankie is quite confident with the ladies), Rick’s performance blew us away.

We were blessed with our casting. We definitely got a better cast than we pitched our investors. We are a tiny independent film with a large ensemble cast. We thought we would have 2 actors from either NYC or LA and the rest would be local hires. Getting to work with such talented and experienced actors as Bronson Pinchot (Perfect Strangers & True Romance), Paige Howard (Adventureland), Mika Boorem (Blue Crush & The Patriot), David Dastmalchian (The Dark Knight), Joe D’Onofrio (Goodfellas), & Elizabeth Masucci (Shame) was a dream. In the end it came down to the script. They all loved the script and wanted to make this film.

 

What was the "emotional environment" like on set like on set?

We try to create a fun and safe environment for our cast and crew to work in. Just because a scene/dialogue worked in the script doesn’t mean it’s going to work on set. And if that’s the case, we would much rather blame the writers (us) than the actor. We’re more than willing to change a line or a scene to make it better. We’re going to get credit/blamed for it anyway, so if it’s a good idea who cares where it came from. One of the nice things about not having much money to make a movie is that everyone is working on the project because they want to be there.– nobody is in it for the money. So we try to keep everyone happy, well fed and working hard on something they can be proud of.

How do you define success?

No clue. As long we get to make another movie we’re successful.

How do you handle rejection?

Rejection is just part of the process. You’re going to hear “no” a lot more than “yes.” Like any creative endeavor, some people are going to love it, others are going to hate it. Don’t take anything personally, just move on and keep working.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

This is where we separate:

Sean – As long as I can remember I wanted to make movies, but it wasn’t until I was 10 that I realized that there was such a thing as a filmmaker. Terminator 2 had just come out and I was obsessed with it. The script was released as a book and my parents bought it for me. I couldn’t make heads or tails of the script, but that was how I realized that some guy named James Cameron made the film and not Arnold Schwarzenegger. That was my introduction to the filmmaking process and it clued me in on why the movies Schwarzenegger made with Cameron were better than his other films.

Charlotte –  I didn’t know I wanted to make movies when I was a kid. I always loved movies, but making movies never seemed like an option. It wasn’t until I took an intro to film class at Middlebury College in Vermont that I realized this is what I want to do with my life. That same semester I applied to transfer to NYU.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

We wrote a bunch of scripts before the opportunity to make Virgin Alexander came along. Everyone wants to make their first script. You worked so hard on it and you love it. But it’s probably for the best that it doesn’t get made. We find it best after we finish a script (including it’s many rewrites), to immediately start writing the next one. We want to spend the rest of our lives being filmmakers, so no idea is precious. If something doesn’t work out, move on to the next.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

How about filmmakers? Just off the top of our heads and leaving many others out: Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger, Ernst Lubitsch, John Ford, Jean Renoir, Charlie Chaplin, Werner Herzog, Preston Sturges, Buster Keaton, Robert Altman, Agnes Varda, David Fincher, Paul Thomas Anderson, Jonathan Demme, & Curtis Hanson.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to become a filmmaker?

Just keep working, don’t get distracted.  All that matters is the work. Let the rest take care of itself. And be nice to everyone.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Going on hikes with our weimaraner, Luna. Check Virgin Alexander’s facebook page for photos of Luna: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virgin-Alexander/135623536471849

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

Sean - The jobs we’ve had have been to support our goal of being filmmakers, we never had other careers. When we moved to LA we got jobs that would allow us to focus on writing. Many people get jobs on set as PA’s and while that’s a great way to make contacts, we knew that after working a 14 hour day we would have no energy to write. So Charlotte was a dog walker and I worked in the machine room at a movie marketing company. I basically had to copy DVD’s of new trailers all day, but because there was a lot of electronics in my room, I made people think the job was really hard and complicated, so I was left alone. I had about an hour of actual work each day and would spend the rest of the day writing and on the phone with Charlotte talking over whatever script we were working on.

How would you describe your film education?

We met when we transferred into NYU’s undergrad film school. We were sitting next to each other at our very first film class. We’ve been collaborating ever since. Film school was great but we really focused on continuing our education after school- watching movies, reading about movies and learning about story telling. One of the reasons we love filmmaking is because there is always more to learn.


What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

I Know Where I’m Going, The Red Shoes, A Matter of Life & Death, The Lady Eve, The River, City Lights, The General, Cleo from 5 to 7, Singing in the Rain, How Green Was My Valley, Stroszek, Grand Illusion, Barry Lyndon, The Searchers, The Social Network, There Will Be Blood, and Hoosiers. We could keep going but will stop there.

And for TV: The Larry Sanders Show, The Wire, Arrested Development, The Daily Show, & Colbert Report.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

We’ve never done crowdfunding, but it seems like a good idea. We’ve always wondering how it works in regards to the SEC. Making movies, while an art, isn’t a non-profit. It’s a business. There are many steps you have to take to protect yourself and your film. We don’t know how that works with crowdfunding yet.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Is there a difference? Maybe just budget. All films are trying to communicate to an audience. If being an independent film means your film isn’t mainstream, than what is Virgin Alexander? We’re certainly not a Hollywood film. We have a lot of people that worked on the movie for free, you’re not going to find that in Hollywood. But we’re also a commercial film (at least we hope we are). We want the film to have a large audience, large enough to allow us to make a 2^nd film. In our opinion, it’s just budget that separates indies from Hollywood. Indies can be mainstream (the first Paranormal Activity) and Hollywood films can be esoteric art projects (Solaris, for example).

You could go back in time and see and film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Sean – Buster Keaton’s The General because I have no idea how they made that film. Silents are amazing. They have such a can do attitude, create such amazing sets, and feature incredible stunts all with a camera that weighed 500 pounds.

Charlotte- I would love to see how they made Singin’ in the Rain in the height of the musical heyday at MGM. Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote such a funny satire of Hollywood while working in a list of hit songs from the 20’s Arthur Freed either wrote or had the rights to. And it would it be amazing to see Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen collaborate on set. Not to mention Donald O’Connor’s incredible “Make em’ Laugh” number and Debbie Reynolds learning to dance for the production! Ridiculous.

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

It depends on the remake and the sequel. Terminator 2 was amazing. Toy Story 2 and 3 were great. Ben Hur was a remake of an early silent film. But then there’s You’ve Got Mail and Lubitsch’s Shop Around the Corner. The remake is nice but it’s hard to improve on perfection.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

They can be great, just don’t be married to the source material. Movies and books have different structures, so what works in a book won’t work exactly in a movie. A great example is Jaws. The movie is really different from the book. If Spielberg had stuck to the book, the movie wouldn’t be nearly as good as it is – plus, Richard Dreyfuss would have died (sorry for the spoiler).

 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having us and thank you for supporting independent film! Please check out the trailer to Virgin Alexander at www.virginalexander.com & join us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Virgin-Alexander/135623536471849

& twitter: www.twitter.com/virginalexander

Filmmaker Don R. Lewis

[caption id="attachment_2506" align="aligncenter" width="640" caption="John Beck, Dane Andrew and his dog Rascal with Don Lewis"][/caption]

Don R. Lewis got his start in film as a volunteer at the Sundance Film Festival. This experience ignited his love of film and sent him on a journey that included over ten years as a writer/editor at Film Threat as well as AA degrees in screenwriting and film production from College of Marin, a BA in screenwriting from Cal State Northridge and a Masters in Cinema Studies from San Francisco State. Aside from producing two award-winning short documentaries (“Stringers” in 2006 and “Drag King” in 2008) Don was Co-Producer on “The Violent Kind,” a sci-fi/horror film that premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film festival.

Don was born in Napa, CA but raised in Petaluma where he still lives today with his wife, daughter and dog Igby.

 

John Beck is a multi-media journalist who has worked for numerous Bay Area outlets over the past 15 years.

He got his start covering breaking news for Bay City News wire service where he met a rag-tag band of late-night video freelancers who became the subject of the 12-minute documentary “Stringers.”

After posting video interviews on the Press Democrat website back in the late ’90s (the dark ages of the Internet), he eventually began producing a weekly video called “60-Second Weekend” that was the most watched web series in the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.

A graduate of Florida State University, he earned his M.A. in creative writing at the University of New Mexico. He has won multiple Peninsula Press Club awards and the 2002 American Association for Sunday and Features Editors award for best A&E feature.

What is the current project you are working on?

My latest project is a documentary I Co-Directed with John Beck on the 2010 “World’s Ugliest Dog ® Contest” called “Worst in Show.” In it, we followed 4 competitors in that years contest and get to know them and their ugly dogs. We also found out the contest is much, MUCH more competitive than we thought and many of these owners do not like each other or get along. It ended up being a lot like the mockumentary “Best in Show” which we didn’t see coming from the get-go. But through all the crazy characters and in-fighting, a touching and amazing story of animal rescue comes through which was also totally unplanned and amazing. It’s available now on DVD here: http://worstinshowmovie.com/)

I also co-produced an awesome horror film called “The Violent Kind” which is now out on DVD, blu-ray and on-demand in many markets. It played Sundance in 2010.

How do you handle rejection?

Badly. I do everything you’re not supposed to do at first; take it personally, think my project sucks, get pissed at whoever rejected us. You don’t usually get a reason so you’re left to your own devices on why it happened and for me, I always regress into a 3^rd grader again and think nobody likes me and I should go pout in the corner.

Then, after a day or 2 of feeling sorry for myself, I buck up and kind of come out swinging. For instance, for whatever reason “Worst in Show” didn’t make it in to too many film festivals. I really don’t know why but I suspect it’s one hour run time might have hurt us and the fact that it really plays better to a crowd and when programmers are watching it, they’re usually alone at a computer or their TV, and they miss the total experience. This was really, really frustrating to me as I’ve been a writer at Film Threat for over a decade and have covered tons of festivals and got to know programmers. Plus “The Violent Kind” had played Sundance and a bunch of other festivals and I know a ton of people through that. Plus, I did some short docs that won awards and both John (my co-director) and I thought this would be our big stage. It didn’t happen so the stuff in that first part of the answer did.

But soon we both got really inspired to say “fuck you guys then” to these festivals who rejected us and take the movie on the road ourselves, ala Kevin Smith with “Red State.” Kevin is a big, big inspiration to me and at the time he was doing Sundance and all that “Red State” insanity happened it was the same time we were getting a different kind of shaft from a major industry. I totally felt his frustration with the “system” and how it worked (or, didn’t) and rather than stew or pout, I followed his lead and we decided to do it ourselves. I should also note I harbor NO ill will towards any festival that rejected us as it all worked out great for us in the end. I look forward to hanging out at these festivals and seeing my programmer friends as the 2012 festival season gears up. Anyway…

We took the film on an 8 city tour and did it by teaming up with local animal rescues or shelters who agreed to help us promote the film to their mailing list and supporters. We then sold advertising that played before the film to local pet stores and restaurants that were near the theater we booked. The advertising usually paid for our travel expenses and offset some of the theater rentals and the experience was really cool. Not every screening was a smashing success but we learned a TON and had a lot of fun bringing the film to niche, pet loving audiences. Plus, we did it ourselves. Any success or failure was due to our choices and that felt really empowering.

We got a TON of press on the tour in print, internet, radio and TV and I honestly believe we wouldn’t have received as much if we were in film festivals. We also were fortunate enough to be accepted to the San Francisco Indie Fest, Oxford Film Festival and the Kansas City Filmmaker Jubilee where we won Best Documentary. All these things created buzz and got people talking and without them, I don’t think we would have got distribution for the film. It’s out now on DVD and supposedly will soon be on-demand and various internet outlets through Breaking Glass Pictures.

To get back to the original question about handling rejection, all of the above absolutely would not have happened if we hadn’t been rejected from film festivals. You can either take it lying down and go back to the drawing board or think outside the box and push the film you made because you believe in it.

Did you always want to be a filmmaker?

Yeah, I always did but never admitted it until about 15 years ago. As a kid I was such a movie freak and a monster freak as well. I obsessed over the Universal Monsters as well as all things Spielberg and Lucas. Throughout my life I was always such a big movie geek but it never really hit me that I could do that too until that whole early nineties indie film explosion happened.

 What inspired you to become filmmaker?

Aside from all the amazing films I experienced in theaters growing up (“Star Wars” trilogy, “Indiana Jones” trilogy, Spielberg’s unheralded run) that early 90’s indie film explosion changed my life. “Clerks,” Reservoir Dogs,” “Swingers,” “El Mariachi,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape.” These were weird, cheap little movies that sparked an interest in me beyond the spectacle of the big budget movies I also loved. Hearing Tarantino rant about his inspirations opened so many doors to movies I’d never heard of. You have to remember too—the internet wasn’t as fully formed then so the world was a lot smaller to a small town kid. Now all these films and filmmakers are at your finger tips as are message boards where you can share information. It was just really eye opening for me at that time.

A year or 2 after the “Clerks” and “Reservoir Dogs” year at Sundance (1992?), I became a volunteer there and volunteered there for 10 years. It was extremely inspiring to see all these great indie films, hear Q&A’s, meet filmmakers and meet fellow film enthusiasts. I highly recommend attending film festivals as a volunteer to all aspiring filmmakers. Volunteering is a great way to attend on a budget and get to meet a lot of cool people who share your passion. Being at these festivals inspired me to become a filmmaker.

 What is the best thing about being one?

Good question. For me the feeling of starting and finishing a project that is as difficult as a film is, is an amazing feeling. I’m lucky to have my partner John because we push each other and have strengths in different areas so we compliment each other. As a person, I have trouble finishing things so seeing a project through from start to getting it out into the world is a great feeling.

With our short docs, it was NEAT to play all the festivals we played and to be in a Q&A with other filmmakers. Being such a film festival fan and getting to be on the other side is a great feeling as well. Obviously being on-stage at Sundance, the festival that means so much to me and was kind of my film school for so long, was an amazing, amazing experience.

What is the worst thing about being one?

As noted, I don’t take rejection well (at first) and it stings. Sad to say but we’re being honest here. I think I’m over it now but I’ll let you know after my next project gets kicked around the block a few times.

It’s really expensive and time consuming and there’s no guarantee of ANYTHING. You may never finish, you may never get the film seen, you may find you have no story like you thought you did. All of these things happen frequently and for something as time and energy consuming as filmmaking, that’s a tough road to hoe.

What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

I’d guess 5-6 overall. I live in Northern California and there hasn’t been a lot of bigger projects around for me to be involved in. I feel really fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time with the right things to offer “The Violent Kind.”

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

There’s a lot for different reasons. My top five in no order would be Billy Wilder, Steven Spielberg, Hal Ashby, Cameron Crowe and Stanley Kubrick. Ask me next week and that might change but those are my go-to guys.

How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

Well here I should come clean and say, I’ve always had a day job. Where I live in expensive Northern California and with a wife and small child, it would be impossible to live solely as a filmmaker. Just wanted to throw that out there in case people think I’m strictly a filmmaker.

That being said, my life has changed because I may actually make money doing something I love as “Worst in Show” sees release. My film writing for Film Threat has always been for fun and for trips to festivals and our short docs cost us more than we’ll ever recoup on them, but they were great calling cards.

Having to do the movie tour and everything ourselves has drastically altered the way I think of film distribution and film festivals and festivals are something I’ve given a huge chunk of my life to promoting, covering and taking part in. I love (LOVE) the film festival experience but am starting to wonder what the point of them is. I think an evolution is eminent.

I also showed a lot of people that I’m capable of an artistic endeavor. Almost all of my friends are either drunks or musicians. The drunks always thought I just disappeared from the pub for a few weeks every year and the musicians were always creating and trying to share their thoughts with the world. I found it cool to show I could create something awesome to share with the world and the support of my friends and colleagues was a great feeling.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Don’t. Ever. Stop. Trying. If one door slams in your face, find another one. If that one slams, buy a saw and some wood and make your own door.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

Hang out with my wife and daughter, watch Giants baseball, write, watch movies.

 What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

Oh man, so many to mention. I’d say “The Apartment,” “The Last Detail,” “Vertigo,” “The Searchers,” “The Shining.” I don’t watch a ton of TV but I loved “Northern Exposure” and “Twin Peaks.” I love “Mad Men,” “Dexter,” “Louis.” I’m going to sound like an American asshole here but I’m just not a huge fan of foreign films. I do love Lars von Trier though.

How would you describe your film education?

I have a bachelors degree in screenwriting from Cal State Northridge and I’m moments away from finishing my masters in cinema studies from San Francisco State.

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

It sucks, badly. I hate it in fact. I think because it’s so expensive to live here people can’t really afford to make films. I’ve never really felt there was a real San Francisco film scene or at least not one I’m interested in per se. Sure, there’s San Francisco based filmmakers, but I wouldn’t say there’s much of a scene. Then there’s Pixar and Lucas but that’s more tech oriented.

 How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Well, at first it was awesome because you could share your work and market directly to people. Now there’s SO MUCH noise on the internet, it’s hard to cut through that. Although I’m an active twitterer (@PetalumaFilms) and we have a facebook fan page for “Worst in Show” (https://www.facebook.com/WorstInShowMovie) I have very, very little faith in the power for these to really help with anything. It became abundantly clear to me during my crowdsourcing for “Worst in Show” that twitter is extremely narcissistic and no one really pays attention to what each other are saying…unless a twitter argument takes off or some kind of funny meme catches on. Facebook is a little more personal I guess.

Again, it might be me taking rejection badly, but during our crowdfunding I received VERY little support from twitter and I have over 1000 followers. Same with facebook, but not as extreme. If each of my twitter followers had gave $1, we would have reached our goal coupled with the other investors. I usually post once a week to twitter to have people join our fan page and maybe one person has. Lame.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

I love it. I think people want to help creative people succeed and this is honestly the easiest and most fruitful way for a filmmaker to receive help. We always need money and crowdfunding sites make it easy for us to get it.

 You could go back in time and see any classic film being made. Which film would it be and why?

Probably anything with Werner Herzog directing Klaus Kinski. Just because their fights are so legendary and the locations they shot at were so insane. It would have been a blast being there.

 What's your favorite movie quote and why?

I like when Shirley MacLaine’s Fran Kubelik says “Shut up and deal” to Jack Lemmon’s C.C. Baxter in “The Apartment.” It’s just so….perfect and sweet and concise. I also love the movie “That Thing You Do!” and the line “Shame on me for kissing you with my eyes closed so tight.” That’s just such a sad and painful moment eloquently written.

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

Meh, I’m not an across the board hater of them, I just hate remakes for the sake of remaking for more cash. I find it hard to believe some films can be improved on as well. Why not just re-release them in theaters and let people discover something cool that was right under their nose all along?

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

I’m a big fan typically if I was a fan of the book. I enjoy looking at choices filmmakers and screenwriters make to adapting to the big screen. Much like remakes or sequels, I’m not a fan if the movie sucks, but I like looking at them side by side.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I just hope filmmakers will start thinking outside the box and find new ways to get their films out there. Why pay a film festival $50 to judge you and allow you access when you can take it out to a few cities and MAKE money? I also hope people will buy our film at http://www.worstinshowmovie.com

Filmmaker Rose Kelly

What is the current project you are working on?

I am beginning production on a feature film Delora and my book of short stories, Shorter Than The Wick, is coming out later this month. Also, I am just now finishing up post on a feature, The Perfect Crime so keep an eye out for it.

I am also finishing up the first season of Happy Meal, a fun web show.

How do you define success?

Being able to tell stories with as much ease as filmmaking allows. I don’t believe success is a number in a bank account but a freedom to do what one loves.

How do you handle rejection?

Having been rejected in almost every medium I have simply learned to keep getting on with whatever it I was looking for permission to do. Don’t give rejection a chance to stop you, plunge on through and make something.

Did you always want to be filmmaker?

Yes, I was making film projects for as long as I can remember. I made my many siblings act in my silent films when I was little, which were always rather dark and horrified my parents.

What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

I have a slightly insane need to tell stories; to show my little slice of the world through film. In fact I wake up with whole films in my head, down to lighting and camera angle sometimes. I have found I have a very bossy subconscious.

What is the best thing about being one?

Learning to let go of any fear about being out of your comfort zone. In my films, because they are no-budget indie projects, I end up doing the jobs of a dozen crewmembers and have learned to do the best I can even when I’m well out of my comfort zone.

What is the worst thing about being one?

Trying to make so many varying conflicts work. It can be immensely stressful to get locations, equipment, actors and crew all together for the right days of shooting. I shot my first feature in a week and would never recommend that to anyone. You really have to find your limits and push through them without breaking down that love of filmmaking that got you started on the project.
What is the estimated number of projects you have worked on?

About 10, more if I go back to film school and count all those short films.

Who is your favorite filmmaker?

Stanley Kubrick. If I died while on an acid trip and went to heaven that’s what it would look like.

How has your life changed since you became a filmmaker?

Well I’d say it leaves you with a lot less free time. But it has made me see the world in a wonderfully creative light. Every little thing in the mundane journey gets to be so much more interesting.

What is one piece of advice you can give to someone who also wants to make it in the movie business?

Don’t ever assume you’re going to “make it”. You probably won’t become the next big director or actor. But if you love filmmaking do it for the passion and work continuously.

What do you like to do besides filmmaking?

I write and edit an online magazine, ICitizenmag.com. And I enjoy traveling around Europe when I can, especially if it involves pastries.

Have you had any other jobs before you decided to become a filmmaker?

Yes, I worked in marketing and web design.

How would you describe your film education?

I got a BA with a minor in film production in SoCal (Southern California). But mostly what I learned that has proven useful has been from on the job training. Throw me in with a tank of sharks and I’ll learn to make sushi really quick.

What are some of your favorite American films? Foreign films? Television shows?

I really like What Dreams May Come and 2001. Both for the reason that they are unique in their visual style.

Walking dead and anything Sci-Fi I’m happy to watch. I am a hardcore nerd (much like a Jumbo Shrimp) and yell at the TV as often as possible. I loved Star Gate Universe before it got canceled, TJ’s baby… nooo…….

How would you describe the film "scene" where you live?

Rather disorganized but with a few really wonderful people who I enjoy working with.

How has social media changed the independent film industry?

Well it has given indie filmmakers the chance to get seen, to be heard of. I think it has also caused a bit too much background noise, which can hinder a really strong community of social filmmakers. We tend to be rather cloistered because of the small world that is indie filmmaking in most towns so social media can also be wonderful in learning about what other people are striving towards in film.

What's your opinion on crowdfunding?

I think crowd funding can be great. But I always say that you should make the film you can now. Most films go over budget and over schedule so trying to put all those eggs in one basket of funds from crowdfunding can be a bit of a way to shot yourself in the foot down the line.

How does independent film differ from the mainstream?

Independent film is more about telling the story at hand. The people that work on these films do so because of love for the art form or the tale to be told. There’s a deeper sense of community than you would get from working on a mainstream film.

Also, I think the stories that get made with indie film are more complex in their depiction of humanity’s flaws and humor.
You could go back in time and see and film being made. Which film
would it be and why?

You could go back in time and see and film being made. Which film would it be and why? 

The labyrinth, solely so I could convince Jim Henson to hire me and grope David Bowie.

What is your opinion on movie remakes and sequels?

Hey, even multi-millionaires need to pay their mortgages and harem of dragon blood prostitutes so I’m all for them.

What is your opinion on book to movie adaptions?

Hard to do. A book is such a different medium to work with. The length and ability to create within the reader’s mind will almost always fall flat when you try to adapt them to the screen. I prefer mini series because they allow for the tone to be better set than a book to film adaptation would.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Please check out my web shows at youtube.com/nueverpublishing. We’ve got two shows right now and are getting ready to shoot two more next year. As well as the second seasons for both shows.